Apparatus for reshaping annealing inner covers



April 27, 1954 J. A. CAMPBELL ET AL APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING ANNEALINGINNER COVERS Filed Sept. 19, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 if if /5 /a 7Sheets-Sheet 2 Ap 1954 J. A. CAMPBELL ET AL APPARATUS FOR RESHAPINGANNEALING INNER COVERS Filed Sept. 19, 1952 Z flmflw 4L X V W m w a n ui #0 m v. @V a m o o A I U w 10/ 3 n I 1 K Mum t |1|L:| l-

Jab N4. C'QMPBELL 40a 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. A. CAMPBELL ET AL APPARATUSFOR RESHAPING ANNEALING INNER COVERS yOwwxw April 27, 1954 Filed Sept.19, 1952 Apnl 27, 1954 A. CAMPBELL ET AL 2,676,640

APPARATUS FOR I3ESHAPING ANNEALING INNER COVERS Filed Sept. 19, 1952 7Sheets-Sheet 4 j H51 FIEE- FIGS.

Inventors.-

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April 27, 1954 J. A. CAMPBELL ET AL APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING ANNEALINGINNER COVERS Filed Sept. 19, 1952 7 Shegts-Sheet 5 FIEJEZ- 7Xll bwentom'JOHN 4 C flMPfifLL and 0 m w B0 P k 0 M M 4 f 0 W April 27, 1954 J. A.CAMPBELL ET AL 7 Y APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING ANNEALING INNER COVERS FiledSept. 19, 1952 7 Sheets-sheet 6 FIEL14.

- .p. 44 IF I PX! w l1|| A //0 w nmmm w g gz a w w Z I u JOHN QCZ'MPBfLL and (0/V5774W7' MfPEl/MU/VZ' April '27, 1954 J. A. CAMPBELLETAL 2,676,640

APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING ANNEALIN-G" INNER COVERS Filed Sept. 19, 1952 7Sheets-Sheet 7 lawentoxs' JOHN/Q CQMFBELL and fa/vfim/vr/ ff eun/a/vzPatented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES NT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR RESHAPINGANNEALING INNER COVERS John A. Campbell, Pittsburgh, and Constant M.Sprumont, Duquesne, Pa.

11 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to apparatus for straightening the innercovers used in box annealing furnaces.

Except for a very small percentage of cold reduced coiled Strip, someform of heat treatment is applied as a separate operation to all coldreduced steel products to restore ductility lost during cold reduction.Approximately 95% of this heat treatment is carried on by the boxannealing method.

Box annealing equipment ordinarily consists of refractory lined steelbases for receiving the steel charge, which in the case of coiled coldreduced strip is in the form of one or more stacks of coils; furnaces toapply the heat; and inner covers which fit over each stack of coils toconfine the protective atmosphere used during annealing to preventexcessive oxidation of the steel.

Inner covers are commonly open bottom thinwalled steel cylinders to fitover the cylindrical charges of stacked coils. The covers are usuallymade with smooth or corrugated walls which are formed and welded from toinch thick low carbon steel, and from 12 gauge (.1046) to 9 gauge (1490)stainless steel. The sizes of the covers vary depending on the type ofbox annealing furnace, the maximum being approximately '78 inches indiameter and approximately feet long.

The inner covers are placed over each stack of coils before the furnaceis placed over the entire charge. The covers are deposited on the stacksefore annealing and removed after annealing by an overhead crane bymeans of cables suspended from the crane hook and attached to rings oreyes either around the domelike top of the cover or around its base.

Due to their cumbersome size, shape and thinness of Wall construction,the inner covers frequently become dented, bent or otherwise damagedafter being in use a relatively short time. Bulging also occurs as aresult of the heat to which the covers are constantly exposed. It is,therefore, necessary from time to time to remove the inner cover fromservice and place it in the shop for repair. During repair, the dents orbulges are removed, any holes are sealed in the walls and the cover isin general straightened. Heretofore this repair work was carried onwhile the inner cover Was manipulated and held suspended by an overheadcrane. The great disadvantage arising from this method of operation wasthe necessity for using the crane during the entire repairing process.While being thus engaged, the crane caused loss of production time inother parts of the mill where moving of ma-- terial was delayed whilethe crane was being used for the inner cover repair work.

It is, accordingly, an object of our invention to provide an apparatusfor removing the dents and bulges from and straightening the walls ofbox annealing furnace inner covers whereby the inner covers may bemanipulated during repair without the need for a crane.

This and. other objects will become more apparent after referring to thefollowing specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View;

Figure 2 is an elevational view partly in section;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the foundation framework;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the ver tical frame of theinvention;

Figure 7 is an end view of the left side of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end view of the right side of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the elevating element of the invention;

Figure 11 is a sectional elevational View taken on the line XII-XI ofFigure 10;

Figure 12 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line XIIXII ofFigure 11;

Figure 13 is a sectional elevational View taken on the line XIII-XIII ofFigure 11;

Figure 14 is a sectional elevational view of the operating mechanism forthe Work-supporting member;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line XV-XV of Figure 14Figure 16 is a plan view of the corrugation disengaging mechanism;

Figure 17 is a sectional plan view of the dies used for reshaping plainWall annealing covers; and

Figure 18 is a sectional plan view of the dies used for reshapingcorrugated wall covers.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2indicates a concrete reinforced pit having disposed on the bottomthereof a stationary base support member 4 which may be made up of tworelatively long spaced I-beam members 6, a, pair of spaced transverseI-beam members 8 disposed between the members 6 with their ends weldedthereto, and a pair of spaced I-beams l disposed between the members 8iongitudinally relative to the I-beams 6 with their ends welded to theI-beams 8. The I-beams ill have the opposing halves of their upperflanges removed so as to provide an opening H2 in the base bordered bythe webs M- of the I-beams it on two sides and the flange edges of theI-beams 8 on its other two sides.

A stationary vertical post or column member consisting of asubstantially box girder structure IE is supported in the base 4 andprojects up wardly therefrom. The box girder frame It is made up of twoflat main plates 18 disposed in spaced relation and connected togetherat their lateral edges by means of a pair of welded plates 20. Thebottom portion 22 of each of the plates I8 is provided with bolt holes24 therethrough and is fitted into the opening [2 of the base Q. Theflanges 22 are fastened to the webs Hi of the I-beams ID by means ofbolts 26 which pass through bolt holes 2 and matching bolt holes in thewebs 14. A pair of horizontally disposed angle members 28 are welded tothe bottom portion of each of the plates I8 and to the top of the basemember 4 for strengthening the support of each plate in the base memberi.

A pair of elongated angle members 353 are welded in spaced relation onthe outer surface of each of the plates It to provide a guidewayextending vertically from the bottom to substan tially the top thereof.Narrow elongated plate members 32 are welded along the lateral edges ofeach of the plates 18 to provide skids or runners the function of whichwill become apparent hereinafter. The upper portion of each plate is cutout at approximately the center of top edge to form an opening 34. Anangle member 36 is provided adjacent each of the side edges oftheopening'34 with a flange thereof in alignment with the upturnedflange of each of the angle members 323 to thereby constitute extensionsof members 30.

-A pair of horizontal supporting bars 33 may be welded or otherwiseattached on the opposing inner surfaces of the plates is a shortdistance below the opening 34. A plate 50 having four elongated boltholes 42 therethrough is welded to the edges of the plates l8 on oneside and spans the distance therebetween. The plate 40 is disposed justbelow plates l8. Three spacer plates 44 are welded in vertically spacedrelation to and extend transversely between the inner surfaces of platesit immediately behind the plate All. The plate it is further supportedby being welded to the ends of the plates 44. Openings 46 are providedin each of the plates 18 adjacent the bolt holes 42 of the plate 40 forthe purpose of admitting a tool to loosen or tighten the bolts whichpass through the elongated bolt holes 42. Spaced slightly below theplate Ml is a horizontal platform 48 which is welded between the platesl8 and extends from the one edge of the plates to a point short of thecenter line thereof. Two spaced holes 50 are provided through each ofthe plates [8 adjacent the platform 48 for the pur pose of admittingtools or wrenches therethrough to tighten bolt members which areaccommodated in holes 52 of the platform 48 to secure a fluid cylinderactuated plunger I46 thereon.

Each of the plates 20 is provided with an uDl cut out portion 54 and alower cut out Portion 56 to provide access to the space betwee theplates.

The elevating or lifting member 58 of the dethe upper edges of the viceis formed in the shape of a box sleeve having open sides and is made upof a pair of vertically disposed channel members it and a transverseconnecting channel member 62 welded together to form a unitarystructure. The connection of channel member 62 and the channels fill isstrengthened by two web plates 64 and 66 which are Welded around theoutside of the upper portion of the member 58 as best shown in Figuresl1 and 12.

The bottom portion of the lifting member 58 is braced by means of fourvertically disposed angular gusset plates 88 having outwardly projectinglower ends 59 and four straight vertically disposed gusset plates Hiwhich have outward- 1y projecting lower ends 7!. The gusset plates aredisposed around the bottom third of the sleeve in alternate pairs asbest shown in Fig," ures 10 and 11. A straight gusset plate 18 is Weldedor otherwise attached by one edge to each flange of each of the twochannel members iii! and extends outwardly therefrom coextensivelytherewith. Each angular gusset plate 53 is welded or otherwise mountedby its curved edge on the inner end of each of the gusset plates andextends outwardly normal therefrom. The outer edges of each of thegusset plates 58 and it slope downwardly and outwardly to form theoutwardly projecting lower ends 89 and H respectively. The ends 69 and Hextend outward- 1y to a common radial distance from the sleeve so thatthey define arcs of a common circle around the sleeve.

A horizontal channel member i2 is welded to and between the bottomportions of each pair of straight gusset plates it. Each of the channelmembers '52 is welded by one end to the web of one of the uprightchannel members and ex tends away parallel with the bottom edges of thestraight gusset plates on each side. A rectangular bed plate 73 supportseach pair of angular and straight gusset plates.

A ring plate i4 is disposed around the bottom of the elevating memberand is welded in position to the top of the channels 32 and to the topsof the outwardly projecting lower ends of the angular and straightbracing plates 63 and it. The circular plate M supports a circular rail16 which may be welded or otherwise attached thereon. In the spacebetween one of the angular gusset plates 6% and one of the straightplates 'lll above the rail '56 is disposed a motor support plate 73which is welded on its ends to the adjoining brace plates 68 and H3.

The lifting member 58 is telescoped over the column is with the channelmembers 6t fitted in the guideway between the angle members 39 forvertically sliding movement therein. The inner surfaces of the plates 68rest upon and are slidable along the elongated plate members 32. Alubricant is applied on the elongated plates 32 to facilitate thesliding movement of the plates 58.

A fluid cylinder 88 having a piston rod 82 projecting from the upper endthereof is vertically disposed between the plates I8 and is supported bymeans of a. trunnion '85 which in turn is supported by the bars 38 onthe inner surfaces of the plates W. The channel member 62 is providedwith a clevis 86 depending from its under side to which the piston rodof the cylinder is connected by means of a pin 88. When fluid isadmitted to the bottom of the cylinder 8? through a fluid supply line90, the piston rod 82 is caused to move outwardly of the cylinder toraise the lifting frame 58.

A channel ring member 92 is mounted for rotation on the rail I6 by meanof wheels 94 which are journaled in bearings 96 depending from thebottom of the ring member at spaced intervals.

Rotation of the ring 92 is achieved by means of a friction wheel 98which engages the inner peripheral fiange of the ring 92 and is drivenby means of a motor I09 which is supported on plate i8.

Mounted on plate 18 is a spring housing I02 having spaced abutments orsidewalls I04 to which spring tubes I06 are attached. Each of thesidewalls I 04 has a horizontal rail I08 extending outwardly thereof. Agear case I I having spaced depending sidewalls II2 which are providedwith a pair of inwardly projecting guides II4 slidable on the rails I08.The friction wheel 98 is journaled vertically in the gear case I I0 andis driven by the motor I00 through suitable gears H8 mounted on the gearcase. Springs I 26 in the tubes I exert a radial outward pressure on thegear case to urge the friction wheel against the channel ring 92. A pairof adjusting screws I22 provide adjustable back up bearings for thesprings I20. This arrangement insures positive engagement of thefriction wheel 98 and the channel ring 92 as the diameter of thefriction wheel 98 is reduced by wear.

A fixed die holder I24 is mounted on the plate 40 by means of bolts I26which pass through the elongated bolt holes 42. The die holder I24removably supports an anvil die I28. The die I28 is provided with aconvex face to fit the curved walls of the shells or covers to be workedon. A reciprocating die holder I30 is supported adjacent the anvil dieholder I24 on a platform I 32 and carries a hammer die I34 whichcooperates with anvil die I 28. The face of the die I34 is provided witha concave curvature to accommodate the convex face of die I28. The dieI30 has a central horizontal slot I36 in its face to accommodate thereinforcement bands X extending around the cover. The die holder I36slides between guides I38 to cause reciprocation of die I34 with anvildie I28. The die holder I30 is attached to and moved by a piston rod I40of a fluid cylinder I42 which is supported on the platform I 32. Theanvil die and the reciprocating die may be shaped, as shown by dies I28and I36, for straightening a smooth walled inner cover or they may beprovided with matching toothed faces, as shown by dies I28 and I30, forstraightening covers having corrugated walls as shown in Figure 18.

A hydraulically operated retractable platform I45 which is adapted tospan the portion of the pit 2 between its edge and center is providedadjacent the support I32 to facilitate interchanging of dies in the dieholders I24 and I30. The platform I44 also serves as a support forworkmen in reaching other elements of the device for the purpose ofmaintenance or repair. When the inner cover to be straightened is of thecorrugated type, it is necessary to disengage the corrugations from theanvil die after straightening. For this purpose ahydraulic-cylinder-operated plunger I46 is provided on the platform 48disposed beneath the fixed die holder I26.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, we have found it preferable to install thebase support of our device below floor level in order to facilitatehandling of the inner covers to be worked on.

In operation, an inner cover W to be repaired is carried to the deviceby means of a crane (not shown) and deposited with its bottom edgeresting on the ring 92 between the flanged edges thereof. The crane isthen disengaged from the inner cover and is free to move to other partsof the plant. After the inner cover has been deposited on the ring 92,the operator, by means of controls I53 disposed on an operating panel I56, raise the cover by admitting fluid to the bottom of the cylinder 8Dto raise frame 58 and rotates it by actuating the motor I00 to rotatethe ring 92. The operator thus manipulates the cover until the dent tobe removed is positioned between the anvil die I28 and the reciprocatinghammer die I34. Thereupon, the operator causes the fluid cylinder I42 tobe actuated which in turn causes the reciprocating die I34 to be pressedagainst the portion of the inner cover which lies between the hammer dieI34 and the anvil die I28. After the dent has been removed, the operatoragain rotates the cover and elevates or lowers it to inspect theremainder of the wall and to straighten any other dents therein.

In the event that the cover is of the corrugated type, the operation isthe same with the exception that after the cover has been straightenedbetween the anvil die I28 and the reciprocating die I34, the plunger I46 is put into action to disengage the corrugations from the teeth onthe face of the anvil die. When the plunger I46 moves forward inachieving the separation, the entire cover is moved laterally in thedirection of the movement of the plunger I46. The flanged edges of thering 92 prevent the cover from moving off of the ring when the plungerI46 is actuated.

After the straightening operation has been completed, the cover isremoved by means of an overhead crane.

While one embodiment of our invention has been shown and described, itwill be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for reshaping the side wall of an open-bottomed cylindricalmetal enclosure comprising a base, a column upstanding on said base, ananvil on one side of said column adjacent the top thereof, a sleevetelescoped over said column, said sleeve being mounted for verticalmovement relative to said column and said anvil, a bottom ring securedaround said sleeve, a ring rotatable on said bottom ring and adapted toreceive the bottom edge of an enclosure, means for rotating saidsecond-named ring, means for raising and lowering said sleeve, and ahammer die mounted on a fixed support for movement toward and from saidanvil.

2. Apparatus for reshaping the side wall of an open-bottomed cylindricalenclosure a defined in claim 1 characterized by said column beingrectangular in cross section and having vertical guides on the outersurface thereof along which the sleeve is slidable.

3. Apparatus for reshaping the side wall of an open-bottomed cylindricalmetal enclosure comprising a base, a column upstanding on said base, ananvil on one side of said column adjacent the top thereof, a sleevetelescoped over said column, said sleeve being mounted for verticalmovement relative to said column and said anvil, said sleeve being inthe form of an elongated hollow body having two open sides, an open endand a closed end, a plurality of spaced vertically disposed bracingplates secured to the lower portion of said sleeve, each of said plateshaving an outwardly

